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Overview

This high-performance Thunderbolt™ 3 adapter lets you add two 4K 60Hz DisplayPort monitors to a computer through a single Thunderbolt 3 port, or it can be used to connect your Thunderbolt 3 port to a 5K 60Hz display using two DP cables.

The Thunderbolt video adapter is compatible with computer systems that support Thunderbolt 3, such as models of Dell™ Precision and Dell XPS. Thunderbolt 3 is a protocol that uses the USB-C™ connector, but your computer system must support Thunderbolt 3 in order for the adapter to function as expected. If you connect the adapter to a USB-C port that does not support Thunderbolt 3, the adapter will not function.

Connect two UHD 4K displays to your computer at 60Hz resolution

With an unprecedented 40Gbps of throughput, Thunderbolt 3 enables you to achieve the previously impossible feat of using a single port on your laptop to output dual 4K resolution at 60Hz to two independent displays. This performance enables you to run the most resource-demanding applications imaginable on two independent displays. You can output independent content to each display at resolutions of up to 4096 x 2160p @ 60Hz, which is perfect for editing 4K video or performing other Ultra HD tasks such as creating CAD drawings or reviewing medical imagery.

Connect a 5K display to your computer at 60 Hz resolution

For added versatility, the Thunderbolt 3 adapter can be used to connect two DisplayPort channels to a single 5K display. Using a Thunderbolt 3 adapter is the only way to connect a 5K display to computers that don’t have multiple DP or Thunderbolt 3 ports, such as your Dell Precision 15 3000 Series workstation.

Supports dual 4K displays to work more efficiently

Functioning as an external 2-port graphics adapter with audio support, this is a compact and convenient alternative to a laptop dock, when you don’t need full docking capability.

With two UHD 4K displays, you can work more efficiently from your laptop, so you can accomplish more in the same amount of time. Plus, with each display delivering 4K performance, you can have four times the screen space compared to 1080p. Creative professionals can be more productive with the freedom to edit 4K video on one display, while previewing raw video playback on the second 4K display.

Won't drain system resources

This adapter helps to keep your system running at peak performance. Unlike USB external video solutions, Thunderbolt 3 lets you run Ultra HD 4K resolution at 60Hz on both displays without draining system resources.

Because it’s backward compatible with your high-definition 1080p displays, this is a great accessory for home, office or other desktop workspace applications.

The TB32DP2 is backed by a 2-year StarTech.com warranty and free lifetime technical support.

Your computer’s Thunderbolt 3 ports might not function properly until you update one or more of the following on your computer:

Bi-directional power delivery up to 100W (not all Thunderbolt 3 devices support power delivery).

USB-C and Thunderbolt 3

Thunderbolt 3 uses the USB-C connector, but not all host connections, cables, and devices with a USB-C connector support Thunderbolt 3. This means that a USB-C device is compatible with a Thunderbolt 3 host connection, but a Thunderbolt 3 device is not compatible with a USB-C host connection. Therefore, it is important to know whether you have a USB-C or a Thunderbolt 3 host, cable, or device.

To determine if your component is a Thunderbolt 3 device, look for the Thunderbolt 3 symbol (shown below). USB-C devices do not include this symbol. For more information about USB-C, see the following FAQ: https://www.startech.com/faq/usb-c-port-capabilites.

Backwards compatibility

If you use an adapter, Thunderbolt 3 host connections are compatible with Thunderbolt 1 and Thunderbolt 2 devices. You can use the StarTech.com TBT3TBTADAP to make a Thunderbolt 3 host connections backwards compatible.

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Thunderbolt 3 uses the USB-C connector, but not all host connections, cables, and devices with a USB-C connector support Thunderbolt 3. This means that a USB-C device is compatible with a Thunderbolt 3 host connection, but a Thunderbolt 3 device is not compatible with a USB-C host connection. Therefore, it is important to know whether you have a USB-C or a Thunderbolt 3 host, cable, or device.

To determine if your component is a Thunderbolt 3 device, look for the Thunderbolt 3 symbol (shown below). USB-C devices do not include this symbol. For more information about USB-C, see the following FAQ: http://www.startech.com/faq/usb-c-port-capabilites.

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No, you cannot use this device to increase the maximum number of displays that a video card supports. For example, if your video card only supports up to three displays and you add this device to your setup, your display limit is still three displays.

If you have connected more than one of this device to the same computer and are experiencing display issues, you should make sure that your video card can support the number of displays that you are using in your setup.

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This device requires that the Thunderbolt 3 host system provides 15W of bus power to the Thunderbolt 3 port. Thunderbolt 3 host systems that do not provide the full 15W of bus power will not work with this device.

Refer to the information provided by the manufacturer to confirm the power delivery capabilities of your host system.

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How to

To check which version of the Thunderbolt™ software, NVM firmware, and drivers you are running, do the following:

Click Start.

Type Thunderbolt and click on the search result.

In the system tray, right-click the Thunderbolt icon.

Click Settings > Details.

Review the versions of the software package, NVM firmware, PD firmware, and drivers. If you are not running the latest versions, navigate to the manufacturer’s website and download the latest versions.

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If you accidentally set a Thunderbolt™3 device to not connect to your computer when prompted by the system, you can force the software to prompt you again for authentication. To do so, complete the following:

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Troubleshooting

When you troubleshoot issues with a video adapter, there are some quick tests that you can complete to rule out potential problems. You can test to make sure that the following components are working correctly and are not the source of the issue:

Video cables

Video adapter

Video source (such as a DVD player or computer)

Video destination (such as a monitor or projector)

To test your setup components, try the following:

Use the cable, video adapter, video source, and video destination in another setup to see if the problem is with the components or the setup.

Use a different cable, video adapter, video source, and video destination in your setup to see if the problem persists. Ideally, you should test a component that you know works in another setup.

When you test your cables, it is recommended that you do the following:

Test each cable individually.

Use short cables when you are testing.

When you test the video source and video destination, it is recommended that you do the following:

Remove the video adapter from your setup and test to make sure that the video source and video destination work together without the video adapter.

Test to make sure that the video source and video destination work together at the resolution that you want to use.

Note: In order for your setup to work properly, the video source, adapter, and destination all need to support the resolution that you are using.

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The error “Out of Range” normally means that the resolution being output by the computer is not compatible with the display. Try lowering the resolution to see if that helps resolve the issue. You may need to connect another monitor or restart the computer or source to accomplish this.

For more information about how to update the software, firmware, drivers, and BIOS or UEFI, refer to the website of the manufacturer of the Thunderbolt 3 host device. The following website includes links to some of the manufacturers of Thunderbolt 3 host devices: https://thunderbolttechnology.net/updates. If the manufacturer of your host device is not listed, you should contact the manufacturer or refer to their website for more information.

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If you are only getting a single display to work with your Thunderbolt™3 device, make sure that your Thunderbolt 3 host device can support two separate DisplayPort lines over Thunderbolt 3.

While Thunderbolt 3 supports dual monitors over a single connection, not all Thunderbolt 3 host devices are designed to meet this requirement. If your Thunderbolt 3 host device does not meet this requirement, you cannot troubleshoot this issue with software, firmware, or driver updates, and you cannot use this device to achieve dual displays over Thunderbolt 3. If you are not sure whether your Thunderbolt 3 host device supports dual monitors, contact your Thunderbolt 3 host device manufacturer.

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To use a Thunderbolt 3 adapter to output to a display at 60Hz, your monitor must support the refresh rate and you need to set the monitor to work at 60Hz. By default, most monitors are set to DP1.1, which will not work with this Thunderbolt 3 device when you use a display at 60Hz. In most cases, you need to set your monitor's DisplayPort settings to DP1.2.

To resolve this issue, use the buttons on your monitor to change the DisplayPort settings to DP1.2. For more information about changing your monitor settings, refer to the website of the manufacturer of your monitor.

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To output 4K to a DisplayPort display at 30Hz, your monitor must support the resolution and refresh rate. If your monitor also supports 4K at 60Hz (DP 1.2 or higher), you may also need to set the monitor to work at 30Hz.

To resolve this issue, use the buttons on your monitor to change the DisplayPort settings to DP1.1. For more information about how to change your monitor settings, refer to the website of the manufacturer of your monitor.